Defense rests in accused killer's trial

The state's case against accused murderer Donald Wilson came to a rest Monday as the final witness were brought into Stamford Superior Court for sworn testimony.

Director of Forensic Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, Peter Diaczuk told the jury that based on ballistics tests conducted at laboratory in Meriden, the bullet that killed Larry Paulk on Christmas Day 2007 came from point blank range -- about two to three feet from the victim's chest.

Diaczuk found six different ammunition particles on the garment Paulk wore the night he was murdered, and based on the density of those particles and their proximity to the bullet hole, the "gunshot came within the vicinity of two to three feet," he said.

Wilson, 25, is charged with the murder of 51-year-old Paulk, who was found face down in the lobby of building 13 at Roodner court in Norwalk two years ago.

Gonzalez allegedly pulled a handgun on Paulk and fired it when the situation escalated. Police could not conclude whether the shot was fired intentionally or by accident, but have said that after Gonzalez dropped the gun, Wilson then picked it up and delivered the fatal shot.

Gonzalez was charged with first-degree assault for his alleged role in Paulk's murder.

Wilson told Judge Richard Comerford, Jr. on Monday that after weighing the pros and cons with his attorney, Frank O'Reilly, he would not testify at his own trial. Comerford said if Wilson opted to take the stand, he would be subject to cross examination by the state.

The brother of the victim, Fred Paulk, testified a second time Monday, and defended against inconsistencies in his initial reports to police. O'Reilly said the Fred Paulk told police after the incident that the man who killed Larry Paulk matched the physical description of Gonzalez, not Wilson.

Last week Fred Paulk testified that he was on a balcony overlooking the lobby when he saw Wilson pointing a gun at his brother. Wilson looked him straight in the face before bending down and shooting his brother, said Paulk.

Norwalk Police Officer Sofia Gulino, who was among the first to respond to the Christmas Day call, said Fred Paulk appeared very upset and spoke little during questioning, making it difficult for her to collect information from him.

"The situation was very crazy," said Gulino. "A lot of people were watching, officers were running around. It was very hectic."

After the attorneys deliver their closing arguments today, the jury will deliberate on a verdict, which could be reached as early as this afternoon.